In Vitro Fertilization

In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

During IVF, the ovarian stimulating drugs are given early in the menstrual cycle, usually starting on the second or third day of menstruation, to stimulate development of multiple follicles. Tracking or supervising the maturation of follicles is performed in order to timely schedule of oocyte retrieval. Two-dimensional ultrasound is conventionally used, and serum levels of hormone, such as estradiol and LH, are simultaneously checked. The eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in the lab. Then the fertilized embryo(s) is (are) transferred in your uterus.

Target

IVF is the method of choice in the cases of blocked or surgically removed fallopian tubes, previous failure of salpingoplasty, immunologic infertility (where the woman’s own immune system rejects sperm), male infertility, endometriosis, repeated failures of artificial insemination, necessity of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or other unknown causes.

Procedure

In general, some testing of "ovarian reserve" should be done on the female prior to starting the injections. Serum levels of hormones and antral follicle counts are checked. These tests help predict how well the ovaries will respond to the drugs (making sufficient follicles and eggs). The woman is stimulated with injected medications to develop multiple follicles in the ovaries. These injections continue for about 6 - 10 days. Blood and ultrasound testing is done every 2-4 days to monitor the development of the follicles in the ovaries. When a sufficient number of the woman's follicles are mature, a transvaginal ultrasound-guided egg retrieval (egg aspiration) procedure is performed to remove the eggs from the follicles. The eggs are then fertilized in the laboratory with her partner's sperm. If the sperm (or the eggs) are of poor quality, the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedure might be used to aid in fertilization. The embryos are cultured in the IVF laboratory for 2-6 days and transferred in the woman's uterus where they will hopefully implant and develop to result in a live birth. If there are leftover embryos (of sufficient quality) beyond the number that is transferred, many couples prefer to have them frozen (cryopreserved) for use in a future cycle.

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Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

Natural ovulation stimulation

Artificial ovulation stimulation

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Oocyte and sperm retrieval

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In vitro fertilization and embryo culture

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection(IMSI)

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Embryo transfer

Procedure conducted under sedation without anesthetic

Embryo inserted in uterus through thin tube through the cervical canal

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Confirmation and maintenance of pregnancy

Embryo Transfer

State of the Art Fertility Center

Embryoscope System

This is an unmanned system that monitors individual embryos in the development stage. It is safe for the embryo as images of the embryo are taken without external exposure, A multi-focusing, cross-sectional time-lapse microscope is used for accurate observation of the pronuclei and blastocyst stage to screen for excellent embryos.

Assisted Hatching

This technique attempts to assist the implantation of the embryo into the lining of the uterus by opening the outer covering (zona palucida) of the embryo, It is performed when zona pellucida is abnormally thick, making it difficult for the embryo to hatch out by itself.

Laser Assisted hatching

Ultra-precision laser equipment is used to emit laser on the zona pellucida for a short period of time to create a small hole (zona drilling) or to make the zona pellucida thinner (cruciate thinning of zona pellucida). In comparison to the conventional assisted hatching technique with the use of an acidic solution, it is less harmful and less time-consuming. It is the latest technology that increases the success rate of implantation and pregnancy.

Recommended for :

Patients who have failed to conceive even after the trial of an in vitro fertilization
Cases with the problems in the zona pellucida which might cause failure of pregnancy

Cryopreservation Method

Cells (eggs, sperms, fertilized eggs) are stored at an ultra-low temperature (-196℃) to temporarily stop all biological activity, and thawed when necessary.

Embryo Freezing

Fertilized eggs remaining after the embryo transfer procedure are stored so that they can be used in the future.

Vitrified Freezing

High initial concentrations of cryoprotectants are used in combination with cooling so rapid that intracellular ice crystals don't have time to form.This procedure minimizes damages to the fertilized eggs.

Embryo Freezing Is Recommended in the Following Cases :

There are fertilized eggs remaining after the Embryo Transfer to the uterus after an In-Vitro Fertilization procedure